Barbara Turf

Barbara Turf died from pancreatic cancer on July 12, 2014, at the age of 71. She was survived by her husband of forty years, Robert Turf, three children and two grandchildren. She had resided in Winnetka, Illinois, since 1998.

Turf became CEO of Crate & Barrel in 2008, succeeding retiring CEO and company founder, Gordon Segal. As CEO, Barbara Turf expanded Crate & Barrel into new overseas emerging markets in Asia and the Middle East. She also shepherded the company during the Financial crisis of 2007–08 and the resulting economic downturn during the following years. Turf retired as CEO in 2012, but remained with Crate & Barrel by joining its board of directors.

In 1996, Turf was promoted to President of Crate & Barrel. Under Turf, the company acquired The Land of Nod, a children's brand, in 2000. She also launched CB2, a division of Crate & Barrel aimed at a younger, hipper consumer demographic.

In 1967, Turf began working as a temporary summer employee at Crate & Barrel's original store on Wells Street in Chicago. She soon left the teaching profession to join Crate & Barrell as a full-time employee. She began working at the company's headquarters in 1974. Turf worked in the personnel, merchandising and marketing departments during her first twenty years with the company.

Barbara Turf (February 28, 1943 – July 12, 2014) was an American business executive and former schoolteacher who served as the CEO of Crate & Barrel, a houseware and furniture retail chain, from 2008 until 2012. Crate & Barrel is headquartered in Northbrook, Illinois.